Mastering Wrap and Turn Knitting: A Beginner's Guide

Wrap and turn knitting is the transformative technique behind those perfectly rounded sock heels and beautifully shaped garments that make you wonder, "How did they do that?" This simple yet powerful method can turn your flat knitting into three-dimensional masterpieces with professional flair.

This essential skill creates professional-looking short rows by allowing you to work partial rows without creating unsightly holes or gaps. Whether you're struggling with misshapen sock heels or frustrated by flat, lifeless projects, mastering wrap and turn knitting will elevate your crafting game instantly. Let's unravel this mystery together and add a versatile new technique to your knitting toolkit.

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What Is Wrap And Turn Knitting?

Wrap and turn knitting is a short row technique that helps you add shape and dimension to your projects. You create partial rows by wrapping stitches with yarn and turning your work to knit the other way.

What are Short Rows For?

Short rows add curves to your knitting where you need extra length. The wrap and turn method prevents holes from forming at the turning points.

When you wrap a stitch, you mark it and give enough yarn to connect to the next row. This creates a smooth, gap-free transition.

Short rows let you add fabric exactly where you need it without changing your stitch count. They help you create three-dimensional shapes from flat knitting.

Think of short rows as adding wedges of fabric. They're useful for bust darts, curved hemlines, and sock heels.

When To Use Wrap And Turn Technique

Wrap and turn works well in projects needing contoured shaping. Sock heels use short rows to create a cup shape for your heel.

Triangle shawls and asymmetrical scarves use this technique to form soft angles and curves. Wrapped stitches help keep even tension in these shapes.

Garments often need short rows for body shaping. Bust darts, shoulders, and necklines can all benefit from wrap and turn.

Hat ear flaps, curved blanket edges, and sleeve caps also use this method. Use wrap and turn any time you want one section of your knitting longer than another.

Beginners can practice with simple projects like dishcloths with curved corners before trying more complex patterns.

The Basic Wrap And Turn Technique

Wrap and turn (W&T) is a simple way to make short rows in knitting. This method shapes your project by adding length to certain sections.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Knit Stitches

1. Knit across your row until you reach the turning point.
   
2. Slip the next stitch from your left needle to your right needle without knitting it.
   
3. Bring your yarn to the front, between the needles.
   
4. Slip the same stitch back to the left needle.
   
5. The yarn now wraps around this stitch.
   
6. Turn your work so the purl side faces you.
   
7. Continue with the next row as your pattern says.
   
   

When you knit across the wrapped stitch later, insert your right needle under the wrap from front to back, then knit it together with the stitch.

This prevents holes where short rows meet full rows.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Purl Stitches

1. Purl across your row until you reach the turning point.
   
2. Slip the next stitch from left needle to right without knitting it.
   
3. Move your yarn to the back, between the needles.
   
4. Slip the same stitch back to the left needle.
   
5. The yarn is now wrapped around this stitch.
   
6. Turn your work so the knit side faces you.
   
7. Continue with the next row as your pattern says.
   

When you reach a wrapped stitch on a purl row, insert your right needle into the wrap from the back, then purl the wrap together with the stitch.

Use stitch markers to mark where your short rows begin and end. This helps you track your progress, especially in complex patterns.

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Working The Wraps

After finishing your short rows, you need to work the wraps for a smooth finish. Handling these wraps is important for a neat project.

How To Pick Up And Knit Wrapped Stitches

When you reach a wrapped stitch, pick it up to avoid holes or bumps. Insert your right needle under the wrap from bottom to top, then into the stitch as if to knit.

Knit the wrap and stitch together for knit stitches. For purl stitches, pick up the wrap and purl it together with the stitch.

Some patterns ask you to slip the wrapped stitch instead. This creates a different texture and can be a design feature.

Hiding Wraps For A Seamless Finish

You can hide your wraps for an invisible finish. With dark yarn or textured patterns, simple pick-up methods usually work well.

Lighter colors may need more care. Try working the wrap from the back loop to hide it better.

You can add yarn overs near wrapped stitches to help blend the transitions. Blocking your finished piece also helps even out any irregularities.

Wet your project, shape it gently, and let it dry flat. This relaxes the fibers and helps the wraps blend in.

Common Applications For Wrap And Turn

Wrap and turn is versatile and appears in many knitting projects. This method creates depth by working partial rows.

Shaping Sock Heels

Sock heels often use wrap and turn short rows. This technique shapes a curved heel that fits your foot.

Knit across some stitches, then wrap and turn. Each row, work fewer stitches before turning again to form a cup shape for your heel.

Most sock patterns tell you how many stitches to work before each wrap and turn. The number of short rows sets the depth of your heel.

You can combine this with decreases for different heel styles. Some patterns also use colorwork in the heel, making wrap and turn even more useful.

Creating Bust Darts

Wrap and turn helps you add bust darts to sweaters and tops.

Short rows across the bust add fabric where needed without changing the overall length. This keeps your sweater from riding up in front.

Work short rows on each side of the center front to create bust darts. The number and placement of short rows depend on the shaping needed.

Many patterns include instructions for bust darts using wrap and turn. This small change improves the fit of your garment.

Adding Curved Edges To Projects

Wrap and turn creates curved edges in shawls, scarves, and accessories.

For triangle shawls, use this technique to shape the edges and make gentle curves. Each wrap and turn changes your knitting direction for a curved edge.

It also works well for hat ear flaps. Partial rows create a rounded shape for the ears.

You can add cables or patterns to your curved sections. Short rows add shape without affecting your stitch patterns.

For dishcloths or blankets, wrap and turn helps make rounded corners or circles in rectangular pieces. This adds interest and can make simple projects look more advanced.

Once you've mastered wrap and turn knitting, explore our I-Cord Knitting Machine Collection to add beautiful finished edges and straps to your three-dimensional projects!

Conclusion: Wrap and Turn Knittting 

Wrap and turn knitting transforms ordinary projects into professionally shaped creations once you've mastered the basics. With just a few strategic turns and wraps, you can add curves and dimension that elevate your knitting to the next level.

Practice is key—start with a simple swatch before tackling more complex projects like socks or garments. Remember that consistent tension and proper wrap pickup are what separate clean-looking short rows from obvious ones. Ready to expand your knitting skills even further? Check out our guide to yarn over in knitting to master another essential technique that pairs beautifully with short rows.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wrap and Turn Knitting

How do you wrap and turn in knitting?

Work to the turning point, slip the next stitch from left to right needle. Bring your yarn to the opposite side (front if knitting, back if purling). Slip the stitch back to left needle, turn your work, and continue in the other direction with the yarn now wrapped around the stitch.

How to wrap and turn without holes?

To avoid holes, pick up the wraps when you reach them. Insert your right needle into both the wrap and the stitch, then knit them together. German or Japanese short rows are alternatives that also prevent gaps.

Do you wrap clockwise or counterclockwise when knitting?

Right-handed knitters usually wrap counterclockwise. The direction matters less than being consistent - just bring your yarn to the opposite side before slipping the stitch back. As long as you pick up the wrap later with even tension, your final result will look good.

Does wrap and turn decrease stitches?

No, wrap and turn does not decrease stitches. This technique creates shaping by working partial rows while maintaining your stitch count. You're simply adding extra length to certain sections to create curves and three-dimensional shapes.